Zuzelo Named Director of La Salle University’s
New Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Patti Zuzelo, Ed.D., MSN, R.N., ACNS-BC, professor of nursing at La Salle University, has been named Director of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

Currently, APRNs, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists, are typically prepared in master's degree programs. "The DNP is an important add-on to the expertise acquired through master's degree studies,” said Zuzelo. “The curriculum provides APRNs with the opportunities to increase their expertise in areas such as ethical decision-making and moral conflict resolution, safety science, research translation in practice, and alternative or integrative therapies."

“Dr. Zuzelo’s leadership as Director of the DNP program assures us that La Salle’s doctoral students will receive the highest quality education,” said Zane Robinson Wolf, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, Dean of La Salle's School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Zuzelo came to La Salle University in 1997 as an assistant professor of nursing. She was named a full professor in 2007. In addition to her new position, Zuzelo is the Director of the Adult Health and Illness Clinical Nurse Specialist master’s degree track and teaches undergraduate and graduate nursing courses. She also serves as a consultant for Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, where she is the associate director of nursing for research.

Zuzelo has received numerous awards over the years including the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and the Nightingale Award of Pennsylvania. In addition, she is a two-time recipient of Sigma Theta Tau’s (Kappa Delta chapter) Nursing Research Award. In March, she will assume the presidency of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

“Dr. Zuzelo’s knowledge of advanced practice registered nurses’ issues and roles is an asset as is her intellectual ability and commitment to program quality through solid curricular structure and delivery,” said Wolf.

Zuzelo, of Warminster, Pa., earned her doctorate of education from Widener University, and a post-master’s certificate in adult nurse practitioner from La Salle. She received her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, and she also earned a certificate in business administration from Penn’s Wharton School. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University.